FAQs

So, what are the more frequently asked questions (FAQs)?

The chances are, if you have thought it, someone else has already asked it, so I’ve tried to put together here, some of the more frequently asked questions (FAQs) that I receive, to help you be reassured and at ease about making the decision to seek help. If you have a question that hasn’t been answered here, I’d be happy to hear from you and I’ll do my best to answer your query.

Your investment in Yourself

Cognitive Hypnotherapy

Q. What is hypnosis and is it safe?

During hypnosis, I utilise this relaxed state within you to make positive suggestions to your unconscious mind, based on what you tell me you want to achieve. Your unconscious is in a much more receptive position when you are in hypnosis, so it is an incredibly effective tool, to take you towards your solution. When combined with other tools and techniques, such as NLP can make short work of long-standing problems.

Now to answer the second question. Yes, it is a safe, and natural state that we all go in and out of many times during our day, perhaps without even knowing it. If you have ever been driving along a road and then ‘come to’ and wondered who was in control of the car for the last five minutes, or been ’miles away’ when someone is trying to talk to you – that’s trance, and we are all very good at it. It’s a little like day-dreaming for some people, but it also often heightens the awareness of the senses too.

It can be a little like daydreaming. Generally a very pleasant sensation where you are conscious of what is going on around you and what is happening throughout the session, but may choose to ‘drift off’ with your own thoughts from time to time. Some people report being more conscious of things happening around them, during hypnosis, with a heightened sense of awareness. So, you see, we all experience it differently, and the one thing I do know is that everyone’s experience is unique, so it isn’t possible to get it ‘wrong’. The way you experience hypnosis is the right way for you, and it may well be different to someone else.

However, most people comment on how relaxed they feel during hypnosis. This feeling often continues for sometime after the session is over, leaving you ready to continue your day.

No, certainly not. You absolutely cannot be made to do anything during hypnosis that is against your will or principles. Neither can I make you say anything that you are not completely happy to do so. And why would I? I want you to get the very best from our work together, and that means treating you in a friendly, yet professional and ethical way.

Your idea of what hypnosis is may stem from what you have seen of volunteers for stage hypnosis and think that hypnotherapy is similar. This is not the case. Our work is purely for therapeutic reasons, and to help you get the positive results you want.

Stage hypnosis is not hypnotherapy, ie there is no therapy involved. It may utilise the same trance state, but really, that is where the similaries end. Stage hypnosis is purey for the entertainment of the audience.

Also, volunteers for stage hypnosis are generally extroverts (or they wouldn’t have volunteered) who would be happy being out-going in their everyday life. They have volunteered to be hypnotised and are generally born entertainers who are likely to do as is suggested on stage, because they don’t want to disappoint the crowd.

Hypnosis in therapeutic terms that we use, is purely a means to an end – your goal in working with me, whatever it may be and not for entertainment purposes.

Everyone can be hypnotised because all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. I am merely a guide who helps you achieve it, but you can choose not to enter that relaxing state simply by deciding that is how it is going to be! And why would you want to resist being in such a pleasant and potentially useful state?

I’ll do my very best to make sure that you are completely happy about using hypnosis, answering any questions you might have, before we even think about using it, so that you can enjoy the experience in the best way possible. We will go at your pace, always.

Anyone who is under the influence of alcohol or artificial substances (legal or otherwise) should not be hypnotised. If you arrive at our session ‘under the influence’ we will not be able to do any hypnotherapy together that day.

You are always in control during our sessions. You cannot be made to do anything that you are not completely happy doing, nor to say something you are not completely happy to reveal. Nor would I want you to. Co-operation and rapport is key to our work, so I want you to be happy about what we are doing.

Throughout the session you can remain relaxed because you can know you are taking control of your situation to create the positive change you want.

No, this isn’t possible. Think of hypnosis as being similar to day-dreaming. It really is something you are familiar with, even if you don’t know that completely yet.

You are able to ‘snap out’ of a day-dream very easily, aren’t you? So it is with trance. Even if I were to leave you in trance and walk out of the room, you would in time either drift into a sleep and then awake refreshed in your own time, or simply get bored and open your eyes.

Q. I feel quite nervous and a little embarrassed about seeking help. Is this normal?

Of course it is! It is quite natural to feel this way when considering doing something new. You are not alone as many new clients say the same to me when we first meet. By the end of the first session, any fears or concerns they may have initially had, have been laid to rest. I am more than happy to discuss our work together before you commit, so that you can be sure that my approach is right for you. And we won’t do any work until you are happy to proceed. At our first session, we will spend some time discussing your issue, and I will answer any questions you have, and will only go forward as quickly as you are happy to.

Sometimes the hardest part can be picking up the phone and making that call. Why don’t you give it a go – I promise I don’t bite!

There is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to drive as well as you always have after hypnosis. It is, after all, a natural state that we all enter many times during the day, often when we are driving anyway.

However, if you would feel more comfortable not driving, perhaps you can make other arrangements. The decision is yours.

It’s true to say that there is no ‘typical’ client. Over the years, working as a full-time therapist I have worked with people from all walks of life.

Clients can be students, GPs, office workers, housewives, househusbands, traders, vets, bus drivers, accountants, taxi drivers, managers, life-coaches, nurses, teachers, scientists, executives, business owners, midwives, hairdressers, tradesmen, retired people, even other hypnotherapists and NLP Master Practitioners. In fact, you name a profession, and the chances are they have been to see a hypnotherapist. Old, young, middle-aged, men, women, teenagers and children have all been clients.

The thing they have in common is realising that they need a little help in finding a way forward in their lives, and recognising that Cognitive Hypnotherapy could offer a solution.

Sessions

Q. How many sessions will I need?

Cognitive hypnotherapy treats the person, not the label we give to their issue, and because everyone is an individual, each person receives a unique treatment plan. It can therefore be a bit of a ‘how long is a piece of string’ type question and therefore, difficult to put an exact number on how many sessions you will need. Some people will get what they want in 3-4 sessions, for others it will be 8-10. Around six sessions is probably the average number of times I see a client, and I can tell you that you get back what you put in. So the more effort on your part, the quicker the results are likely to begin to show.

What I do know is that it is my aim to treat you in the shortest time possible to make the changes permanent so that you can get on with the life you want. After all, that way, you are more likely to refer me to your friends and family should they need a little help too.

Each of our sessions lasts between 60 – 90 minutes., with the average being about 75 minutes. We need this flexibility because everyone is unique and some techniques will take longer with some people than with others.

By allowing 1 and 1/2 hours between clients, this gives us plenty of time to do the work in the way that is right for you. That way, you need not feel rushed to finish what we are doing because if we only had one hour, the amount of time actually doing any work is likely to be closer to 50 minutes.

This, in my opinion, is not in your best interest, so I am more than happy to give that extra time to ensure that you have a full session so that you can get exactly what you need.

We will spend our first session together discussing what your issue is and how we might work together to see a difference in your life. We need to know how you would like things to be in your better future, your solution state, so that we know when you have got there! This time of history taking can allow you to think about your issue in a way you may not have before, and is therefore an integral part of therapy, as well as giving me the information I require to personalise your treatment plan.

Time permitting, we will do some hypnosis towards the end of the session, to begin the process of change, and allow you to experience the how relaxing hypnosis can be.

I have found that for many of my clients, merely the act of discussing their problem with a non-judgemental and impartial therapist can begin the process of positive change. And of course, anything discussed is completely confidential.

I work full-time as a Cognitive Hypnotherapist and coach, and therefore have appointments available from Monday to Friday. Depending on whether you wish to work face-to-face or via Skype / FaceTime / Zoom, will depend on my availability, so please do get in touch to find out what might suit you.

All appointments are by prior arrangement only, please. Please, either phone or email to book a mutually convenient appointment.

You can get in touch by telephone or email me. I like to speak with potential clients to make sure that you are happy with your choice of therapist, so although any initial queries you may have can be answered by email, we will have an initial free consultation by telephone, Zoom or Skype at a mutually convenient time.

Your investment in Yourself

Each session in office hours (beginning before 5pm) is £175. For those who require an evening appointment (beginning at or after 5pm), the fee is £200 per session.

Because everyone’s needs differ, I would love to have an initial free, no obligation chat with you, either on the phone, or via Skype. You will be able to tell me your hopes, your fears, your goals, and we can work out the best way for you to achieve what you want from our work together.

There are no hidden charges. I do not charge extra for CD/MP3 downloadable recordings of hypnotic suggestion. If I feel it would be appropriate for you, it is given free of charge – it’s all part of the service!

Email and telephone support between sessions is also provided as part of your service, and therefore does not incur a charge. I do ask that telephone calls be made within office hours.

As it is my aim to provide a friendly, confidential and professional service, with your best interests always paramount.

No – no guarantees. The reason for this is quite simple; my approach is about giving you back control in your life, and therefore you have to take responsibility for your own success. I expect my clients to work with me to get the changes they want. That means putting some effort into your change. If you are expecting me to wave a magic wand and everything gets better, I’m afraid you will be disappointed, and I am not the therapist for you. If fact, I would be wary of any therapist who says they are able to work in that way. It is unlikely to be successful in the long term.

What I will guarantee is that I will do my very best for you, to help you get to your goal, only as quickly as the changes you make can be lasting. All I ask is that you commit to the process, and work with me as best you can.

I would urge you to be very cautious of any therapist who does guarantee success. We are, afterall, working with people, not machines. Like all therapies, hypnotherapy doesn’t always work for everyone. Trust in, and rapport with your chosen therapist is needed even for the process of change to begin, together with your own commitment. As everyone is unique, it is virtually impossible to guarantee a success rate. As your therapist, I act as a skilled guide to help you find the solutions within yourself.